Northeast Michigan Oral History and Historic Photograph Archive

Carter Home

Description

Media Type

Image

Item Type

Photographs

Description

The Carter Family. The following is an excerpt from Robert Haltiner's "The Town That Wouldn't Die": "In November, 1856, Daniel Carter brought his wife Sarah and daughter Mary to what was to become Alpena - thus becoming Alpena's first family of permanent white settlers. When the Carters arrived here there was a little board building that Walter Scott had built, a mere shell of a building with no windows. Mr. Carter fixed it up and it became not only their family home but was the hotel of the region. Often it was filled to overflowing but its guests always found a good bed and a tempting meal. There was a small clearing around the house which was their garden; the rest of Alpena was covered with swamp, trees and brush.

"It was indeed a desolate and forbidding prospect for a woman to contemplate, but Mrs. Carter was not a woman to be dismayed. She was a typical pioneer. Often she was alone. Possessed of a robust constitution, courageous spirit, and kindness of heart, she was admirably adapted to the manifold emergencies of that time."

Mary Lavina, daughter of Daniel and Sarah Carter, taught the first school in Alpena. She died June 29, 1879.

Mr. Carter was one of the prime movers in getting the county organized and took a leading part in its affairs. He served as first postmaster. He was appointed Supervisor and held that position for 14 years. He served as Justice of the Peace. And he was active in many. many other positions.

In 1860, the Carters moved into their new home. It stood on the north side of Chisholm Street lakeward from the First Avenue intersection."

Through the years, changes that were made to the house included removing a large south wing, adding a new foundation and adding a porch. The Carter Home was dismantled in November 1960. It was believed the pieces were stored, but they have never been found.

Notes

An interesting look into the life of the Carter Home is found in "The Diary of Nellie A. Hayes: A Glimpse into Everyday Lives of Alpena's First Permanent Settlers, Daniel and Sarah Carter, Alpena, Michigan, 1888-1891." This diary was transcribed and edited by Yvonne Rajala Shultis. The book describes various household activities including cleaning, gardening, wallpapering, canning, cooking, and financial matters.

Date of Original